When Laurian Rhodes and her husband, Sluggo, bought their first house 2 1/2 years ago, they did everything right, according to real estate protocol.

Veteran punk rockers, Laurian, 36, and Sluggo, 47, aren’t what would be characterized as the new San Francisco buyers — upscale professionals with fat paychecks. Together they own and run a picture-framing franchise on Lombard Street, and Sluggo performs with his band, the Grannies. But having just given birth to a baby daughter, Laurian was eager to do the right thing for her family’s stability.

 Q:I was told a long time ago if you make one extra home mortgage payment each year on a 30-year fixed-rate loan it will be paid off in 15 years. If that is not true, how many years will it take off the mortgage by making one extra payment every year?

Geri F.

Brentwood

A: Your information is incorrect. However, depending on the interest rate on your mortgage, making an extra mortgage payment each year (13 payments in a 12-month period) will usually cut the term of your 30-year mortgage down to about 22 years.

 Q: I already live in a nice coastal area in Marin County but would like to move to a nicer apartment. I do realize that the cost of this will be a higher monthly rent, but the asking rent for pretty much any apartment, in any city, has gotten quite out of hand.

I keep trying to get advice on what is a reasonable rent to ask. The only answer I can get is whatever market value is.

RISMEDIA, December 11, 2006—Real estate professionals generally want three things from their advertising investment: better qualified leads at the most efficient cost; more listings; and exposure that builds their personal brand. But with so many shifts in the marketplace, they struggle with how best to accomplish this. First, information should be the underpinning of your marketing decisions, starting with looking at the ways consumers are shopping for homes. And secondly, look for a media partner with a solid reputation that the consumer trusts, and one that is committed to your success.